CN107636564A - Communicator and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

This technology is related to a kind of communicator and control method, can increase the change of the connection mode between digital device by it.A kind of communicator is provided, including：Mechanism to be detected, it is connected to the first electronic installation and corresponding to the mechanism being contained in the second electronic device for the baseband signal for receiving the output of the first electronic installation, when first electronic installation is connected to the second electronic device, the mechanism to be detected is detected by the first electronic installation；Connecting detection unit, it detects the baseband signal of the second electronic device output, and detects the connection between first electronic installation and the second electronic device；And control unit, when detecting the connection between the first electronic installation and second electronic device by the connecting detection unit, mechanism to be detected is connected to the first electronic installation.As an example, this technology can be applied to connection, wherein, the identification of USB (USB) main frame and the connection of USB device.

Description

Communication device and control method

technical field

The present technology relates to a communication device and a control method, and in particular to a communication capable of increasing the diversity of connection modes between electronic devices, for example, a USB host and a USB device conforming to the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard device and control method.

Background technique

Exemplary electronic devices conforming to the USB standard include a USB host (an electronic device acting as a USB host) and a USB device (an electronic device acting as a USB device).

A USB host and a USB device are connected by using, for example, a USB cable, and the USB host actively controls communication between the USB host and the USB device.

The USB standard supports a bus power (power supply) mode, which can supply not only signals (data) but also power from a USB host to a USB device through a USB cable.

However, the upper limit of current that can be supplied by one USB cable as a power source is specified in the USB standard. Therefore, there has been proposed a technique of supplying power from a USB host to a USB device having a consumption current exceeding the upper limit specified in the USB standard (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

reference list

patent documents

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-008716

Contents of the invention

The problem to be solved by the present invention

Incidentally, there is a need to increase the diversity of connection modes between electronic devices.

The present technology is made in view of such circumstances, and aims to increase the diversity of connection modes between electronic devices.

problem solution

A communication device according to an aspect of the present technology includes: a detection target mechanism detected by a first electronic device when the first electronic device is connected to a second electronic device that receives a baseband signal output from the first electronic device And corresponding to the mechanism included in the second electronic device, the detection target mechanism is configured to be connected to the first electronic device; a connection detection unit is configured to detect the baseband output from the second electronic device signal, and is configured to detect a connection between the first electronic device and the second electronic device; and a control unit, configured to detect the first electronic device and the second electronic device by the connection detection unit In the case of connection between the second electronic device, the detection target mechanism is connected to the first electronic device.

The control unit may disconnect the detection target mechanism from the first electronic device in a case where the connection detection unit has not detected the baseband signal for a predetermined period.

The detection target mechanism may be formed by a common mode impedance.

A transmitting unit adapted to transmit a millimeter wave band signal obtained by frequency converting a baseband signal output from the first electronic device into a signal having a frequency band higher than the baseband signal may also be included.

A control method according to an aspect of the present technology is a control method for a communication device including: a detection target mechanism when a first electronic device is connected to a second device that receives a baseband signal output from the first electronic device. In the case of an electronic device, the detection target mechanism is detected by a first electronic device and corresponds to a mechanism included in a second electronic device, the detection target mechanism is configured to be connected to the first electronic device, and the method including: detecting a baseband signal output from the second electronic device, and detecting a connection between the first electronic device and the second electronic device; and detecting the first electronic device and the second electronic device In the case of connection between electronic devices, the detection target mechanism is connected to the first electronic device.

According to the communication device and the control method of one aspect of the present technology, there is provided a detection target mechanism that is controlled by the second electronic device when the first electronic device is connected to the second electronic device that receives the baseband signal output from the first electronic device. An electronic device detects and corresponds to a mechanism included in a second electronic device, said detection target mechanism being adapted to be connected to said first electronic device. In case the baseband signal output from the second electronic device is detected, the connection between the first electronic device and the second electronic device is detected, the first electronic device and the second electronic device are detected The connection between the two electronic devices connects the detection target mechanism to the first electronic device.

Note that the communication device may be an independent device, or may be an internal block constituting one device.

Effect of the present invention

According to the present technology, the diversity of connection modes between electronic devices can be increased.

Note that the effects described herein are not necessarily limited thereto, and may be any one of the effects described in this disclosure.

Description of drawings

1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a communication system in which electronic devices are connected to each other through cables;

FIG. 2 is a diagram describing exemplary operations of a communication system;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a communication system adapted to perform data transmission by a millimeter-wave band modulation signal;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an exemplary configuration of the communication units 53 and 63;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the transmitting unit 71, the receiving unit 72, the transmitting unit 81, and the receiving unit 82;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a first embodiment of a communication system to which the present technology is applied;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an exemplary configuration of the communication unit 201;

8 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary operation of a communication system;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration of the transmission unit 211;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary operation of the USB host 10 in the communication system;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a second embodiment of a communication system to which the present technology is applied;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an exemplary configuration of the communication unit 251;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an exemplary configuration of the control unit 271;

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a detection target mechanism 262 and a connection detection unit 281;

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an exemplary process of detecting a connection state between the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 by the determination unit 291;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation of the control unit 271;

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a control unit 271';

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration of the detection target mechanism 262 and the connection detection unit 302;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation of the control unit 271';

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a third embodiment of a communication system to which the present technology is applied;

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a fourth embodiment of a communication system to which the present technology is applied;

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a fifth embodiment of a communication system to which the present technology is applied.

detailed description

<Communication system with electronic devices connected by cables>

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a communication system in which electronic devices are connected to each other by cables.

In the communication system of FIG. 1 , an electronic device 10 and an electronic device 20 are connected by a cable 30 .

The electronic device 10 includes a connector 11 that can be connected to the connector 31 of the cable 30 and can exchange (input and output) a baseband signal of a baseband with another device such as the electronic device 20 via the connector 11 .

The electronic device 20 includes a connector 21 that can be connected to the connector 32 of the cable 30 and can exchange (input and output) a baseband signal of a baseband with another device such as the electronic device 10 via the connector 21 .

Furthermore, the electronic device 20 includes a detection target mechanism 22 to be detected by the electronic device 10 when the electronic device 10 is connected to the electronic device 20 adapted to receive the baseband signal output from the electronic device 10 .

The cable 30 is a cable including a conductor (hereinafter also referred to as a baseband conductor) as a core wire (line connecting the connectors 31, 32) for transmitting an electric signal as a baseband signal, and one end thereof is provided with a The connector 31 of the electronic device 10 and the other end is provided with a connector 32 connected to the electronic device 20 .

In the communication system having the above configuration, when the electronic devices 10 and 20 are connected by using the cable 30, in other words, when the connector 11 of the electronic device 10 and the connector 31 of the cable 30 are connected and the connector 21 of the electronic device 20 and the cable When the connector 32 of 30 is also connected, the detection target mechanism 22 included in the electronic device 20 is detected by the electronic device 10 via the cable 30 , and the connection to the electronic device 20 is recognized by detecting the detection target mechanism 22 .

As described above, for example, the USB (USB 3.0) standard adopts a method of detecting (recognizing) connection between electronic devices by detecting the detection target mechanism 22 .

Hereinafter, the present technology will be described assuming that the electronic device 10 and the electronic device 20 are, for example, electronic devices conforming to the USB standard.

In the case that the electronic device 10 and the electronic device 20 are electronic devices conforming to the USB standard, the electronic devices 10 and 20 and the cable 30 are respectively a USB host, a USB device, and a USB cable, and will also be referred to as the USB host 10, hereinafter, and the USB cable. USB device 20 and USB cable 30 .

In addition, when the electronic equipment 10 and the electronic equipment 20 are electronic equipment conforming to the USB standard, the connector 11 of the electronic equipment 10 and the connector 21 of the electronic equipment 20 are USB connectors (receptacles) (jacks), and the connectors 11 and 21 will also be referred to as USB connectors 11 and 21 hereinafter, respectively.

In addition, in the case where the electronic equipment 10 and the electronic equipment 20 are electronic equipment conforming to the USB standard, the connectors 31 and 32 of the USB cable 30 are USB connectors (plugs), and the connectors 31 and 32 will also be referred to as are USB connectors 31 and 32.

USB host 10 is an electronic device such as a personal computer (PC) or a digital camera, which is adapted to operate by receiving power from an external power source alone (independent of bus power) or by receiving power from a built-in battery, and has at least Host functionality.

With the USB host 10 , the USB connectors 11 and 31 are connected (coupled) by inserting the USB connector 31 of the USB cable 20 into the USB connector 11 of the USB host 10 .

The USB device 20 is an electronic device such as a disk drive adapted to operate by receiving power from a bus power supply or by receiving power from an external power source or a built-in battery, and has at least a function as a USB device.

For the USB device 20 , the USB connectors 21 and 32 are connected by inserting the USB connector 32 of the USB cable 20 into the USB connector 21 included in the USB device 20 .

The USB cable 30 is a cable conforming to the USB standard, one end of which is provided with a USB connector 31 connected to the USB host 10 , and the other end is provided with a USB connector 32 connected to the USB device 20 . The core wire of the USB cable 30 is made of a baseband conductor such as copper.

In the communication system having the above configuration, when the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 are connected by using the USB cable 30, the detection target mechanism 22 included in the USB device 20 is detected by the USB host 10 via the USB cable 30, and by detecting the The target mechanism 22 is detected to identify the connection to the USB device 20 .

The detection target mechanism 22 included in the USB device 20 is formed of, for example, a resistor used as a common mode impedance adopted in the USB 3.0 standard or the USB 3.1 standard.

When the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 are connected, the common mode impedance (electrically) serving as the detection target mechanism 22 included in the USB device 20 is connected to the USB host 10, and as a result, when viewing the USB from (inside) the USB host 10 The impedance at the connector 11 side changes between a case where the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 are not connected and a case where the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 are connected.

In the USB host 10, the connection of the USB device 20 is recognized (detected) based on the fact that the impedance when the USB connector 11 side is viewed from the USB host 10 has become connected to the common mode impedance used as the detection target mechanism 22. Impedance in case of USB host 10.

Meanwhile, in the USB host 10, by detecting the time constant of the voltage when the USB connector 11 side is viewed from the USB host 10 (the voltage change rate when the USB connector 11 side is viewed from the USB host 10), the The detection of the impedance when the USB connector 11 side is viewed from the USB host 10 , that is, the detection of the common mode impedance used as the detection target mechanism 22 .

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary operation of the communication system in FIG. 1 .

In the case where the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 are not connected, the detection target mechanism 22 included in the USB device 20 is not connected to the USB host 10 , so the detection target mechanism 22 cannot be detected by the USB host 10 .

When the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 are connected through the USB cable 30 , the detection target mechanism 22 included in the USB device 20 is connected to the USB host 10 through the USB cable 30 , and the detection target mechanism 22 is detected by the USB host 10 .

Upon detection of the target mechanism 22, the USB host 10 recognizes (detects) connection with the USB device 20, shifts to a polling state for polling, and starts outputting a baseband signal from the USB connector 11 as polling.

Then, when the USB device 20 responds to the polling from the USB host 10, the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 enter a state in which communication (exchange of baseband signals) can be performed.

<Applicable to communication systems that perform data transmission by modulation signals in the millimeter wave band>

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a communication system suitable for performing data transmission by using a millimeter-wave band modulation signal.

Note that in the drawings, components corresponding to those in the case of FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be appropriately omitted hereinafter.

The communication system in FIG. 3 is common to the situation in FIG. 1 in that it includes a USB host 10 and a USB device 20 .

However, the communication system in FIG. 3 is different from the case of FIG. 1 in that millimeter wave cables 50 and 60 are provided instead of the USB cable 30 .

Here, the millimeter wave band (modulation) signal is a signal having a frequency of about 30 to 300 GHz, that is, a wavelength of about 1 to 10 mm. According to the millimeter wave band signal, due to its high frequency, data transmission can be performed at a high data rate, and communication can be performed while using various waveguides as transmission paths. In other words, according to the millimeter wave band signal, it is possible to perform communication (radio communication) by using, for example, a small antenna while using free space as a transmission path. In addition, according to millimeter-wave band signals, communication can be performed while using metal wires or dielectric materials such as plastic as transmission paths.

The millimeter wave cable 50 is a cable provided with a USB connector 51 to be connected to the USB host 10 at one end and a millimeter wave connector 52 to be mated with the millimeter wave connector 62 at the other end. In the millimeter wave cable 50 , a baseband conductor is used as a core wire to connect the USB connector 51 to (communication unit 53 of) the millimeter wave connector 52 , similarly to the USB cable 30 .

The millimeter wave connector 52 is formed of a material such as a dielectric material serving as a waveguide suitable for transmitting a millimeter wave band modulation signal (radio frequency (RF) signal), and includes a communication unit 53 suitable for performing communication with the millimeter wave band modulation signal.

The communication unit 53 will perform frequency conversion on the differential signal to convert it into a modulation signal in the millimeter wave band, and transmit the modulation signal (to the communication unit 63 ) via the millimeter wave connectors 52 and 62 as waveguides, wherein the differential signal is connected via USB A baseband signal supplied from the USB host 10 through an unillustrated data transmission terminal of the device 51 (for example, in the case of the USB 3.0 standard, + and − terminals of a signal transmission line of USB 3.0).

Furthermore, the communication unit 53 receives the millimeter-wave band modulation signal transmitted via the millimeter-wave connectors 52 and 62 (from the communication unit 63) as waveguides, applies frequency conversion to the millimeter-wave band modulation signal to convert it into a baseband signal, and connects The baseband signal is supplied to the USB host 10 through an unillustrated data transmission terminal of the device 51 (for example, in the case of USB 3.0, + and − terminals of a signal receiving line of USB 3.0).

The millimeter wave cable 60 is formed in a similar manner to the millimeter wave cable 50 .

In other words, one end of the millimeter wave cable 60 is provided with a USB connector 61 to be connected to the USB device 20 , and the other end is provided with a millimeter wave connector 62 to be mated with the millimeter wave connector 52 . In the millimeter wave cable 60 , a baseband conductor is employed as a core wire adapted to connect the USB connector 61 to (communication unit 63 of) the millimeter wave connector 62 in a similar manner to the USB cable 30 .

The millimeter wave connector 62 is formed of a material such as a dielectric material serving as a waveguide suitable for transmitting a millimeter wave band modulation signal, and includes a communication unit 63 suitable for performing communication with the millimeter wave band modulation signal.

The communication unit 63 applies frequency conversion to the differential signal to convert it into a millimeter wave band modulated signal, and transmits the modulated signal (transmitted to the communication unit 53) via the millimeter wave connectors 62 and 52 serving as waveguides, where the differential signal is transmitted through the USB A not-shown data transmission terminal of the connector 61 supplies a baseband signal from the USB device 20 .

In addition, the communication unit 63 receives millimeter-wave band modulation signals transmitted via the millimeter-wave connectors 52 and 62 (from the communication unit 53 ) serving as waveguides, applies frequency conversion to the baseband signal, and transmits unillustrated data via the USB connector 61 . The transmission terminal supplies the baseband signal to the USB device 20 .

Note that, as the length of each of the millimeter wave cables 50 and 60 , for example, about 10 cm to 1 μm can be employed.

In the communication system of FIG. 3 having the configuration described above, when USB connectors 11 and 51, millimeter wave connectors 52 and 62, and USB connectors 21 and 61 are respectively connected, communication between USB host 10 can be performed via millimeter wave cables 50 and 60. Data transfer is performed between the USB device 20 and the USB device 20.

In other words, in the communication unit 53 , the baseband signal that is data to be transmitted by the USB host 10 is transmitted after frequency conversion by the application into a millimeter-wave band modulation signal.

The modulated signal transmitted from the communication unit 53 is received in the communication unit 63 , applied by frequency conversion into a baseband signal, and then supplied to the USB device 20 .

On the other hand, in the communication unit 63, a baseband signal that is data to be transmitted by the USB device 20 is transmitted, applied by frequency conversion into a millimeter-wave band modulation signal.

The modulated signal transmitted by the communication unit 63 is received in the communication unit 53 , and applied by frequency conversion into a baseband signal, and then provided to the USB host 10 .

As described above, in the communication system of FIG. 3 , the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 serving as electronic equipment are connected not by the USB cable 30 but by the millimeter wave cables 50 and 60 , and the communication between the USB host and the USB device 20 is performed via the millimeter wave band modulation signal. Data transmission between the host 10 and the USB device 20, therefore, can increase the diversity of connection modes between electronic devices.

Here, in the communication system of FIG. 3 , millimeter wave connectors 52 and 62 including communication units 53 and 63 adapted to transmit and receive millimeter wave band modulated signals are formed of a dielectric material such as plastic or other non-metal.

Therefore, according to the millimeter-wave connectors 52 and 62, it is easier to deal with waterproof and dustproof than a connector formed of metal, and there is no need to consider the deterioration of the contact point caused by insertion/removal, and in addition, it is possible to increase the design degrees of freedom.

Meanwhile, the millimeter wave connectors 52 and 62 may be formed of metal instead of non-metal.

Furthermore, in FIG. 3 , the communication unit 53 is included in the millimeter wave connector 52 , but in addition, the communication unit 53 may also be included in, for example, the USB connector 51 .

In the case where the communication unit 53 is included in the USB connector 51, it is necessary to form a space between the USB connector 51 and the millimeter wave connector 52 of the millimeter wave cable 50 not as a baseband conductor but as a conductor for millimeter wave transmission. A waveguide of a path (for example, a transmission path formed to guide a millimeter wave through a dielectric material having a different permittivity, etc.).

Similarly, the communication unit 63 may not be included in the millimeter wave connector 62 but included in the USB connector 61 . In the case where the communication unit 63 is included in the USB connector 61 , it is necessary to form a space between the USB connector 61 and the millimeter wave connector 62 of the millimeter wave cable 60 as a waveguide serving as a millimeter wave transmission path.

<Exemplary Configuration of Communication Units 53 and 63>

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an exemplary configuration of communication units 53 and 63 in FIG. 3 .

The communication unit 53 includes a sending unit 71 and a receiving unit 72 .

The transmitting unit 71 transmits a signal (data) in a carrier communication system in which, for example, a millimeter-wave band signal is used as a carrier. In other words, the transmitting unit 71 applies frequency conversion (provided by the USB host 10) to the baseband signal to convert it into a millimeter-wave band modulation signal, and transmits the millimeter-wave band modulation signal through the millimeter-wave connectors 52 and 62 (FIG. 3) serving as waveguides (to the receiving unit 82).

The receiving unit 72 receives the millimeter-wave band modulation signal transmitted from the carrier communication system (from the transmitting unit 81) via the millimeter-wave connectors 62 and 52 serving as waveguides, and applies frequency conversion to the millimeter-wave band modulation signal to convert it into a baseband signal, The baseband signal is then output (to the USB host 10).

The communication unit 63 includes a sending unit 81 and a receiving unit 82 .

For example, transmission unit 81 transmits a signal through a carrier communication system in which a millimeter wave signal of the same frequency band as that of transmission unit 71 or a frequency band different from that of transmission unit 71 is used as a carrier. In other words, the transmission unit 81 applies frequency conversion (supplied from the USB device 20) to the baseband signal, converts it into a millimeter-wave band modulation signal, and transmits the millimeter-wave band modulation signal (to the reception Unit 72).

The reception unit 82 receives the millimeter-wave band modulation signal transmitted from the carrier communication system (from the transmission unit 71) via the millimeter-wave connectors 52 and 62 serving as waveguides, and applies frequency conversion to the millimeter-wave band modulation signal to convert it into a baseband signal , and then output the baseband signal (to the USB device 20).

As described above, since the communication unit 53 includes the transmission unit 71 and the reception unit 72 , and the communication unit 63 includes the transmission unit 81 and the reception unit 82 , bidirectional communication between the communication units 53 and 63 is possible.

Note that half-duplex communication can be performed between the communication units 53 and 63 in the case where a millimeter wave signal of the same frequency band is used as a carrier wave in the transmission units 71 and 81 . However, even in the case of using a millimeter-wave signal of the same frequency band as a carrier in the transmission units 71 and 81 , full-duplex communication can be performed by performing isolation between the transmission units 71 and 81 . Furthermore, full-duplex communication can be performed between the communication units 53 and 63 in the case where millimeter wave signals of different frequency bands are used as carrier waves in the transmission units 71 and 81 .

<Exemplary Configuration of Transmitting Unit 71, Receiving Unit 72, Transmitting Unit 81, and Receiving Unit 82>

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration of the transmission unit 71 , the reception unit 72 , the transmission unit 81 , and the reception unit 82 of FIG. 4 .

The transmission unit 71 includes an amplifier 91 , an oscillator 92 , a mixer 93 and an amplifier 94 .

A differential signal corresponding to a baseband signal (for example, in the case of USB 3.0, + and − signals of a signal transmission line of USB 3.0) is supplied from the USB host 10 to the amplifier 91 .

The amplifier 91 amplifies the differential signal as necessary, and supplies it to the mixer 93 .

The oscillator 92 generates a carrier wave of the millimeter wave band such as 56 GHz by oscillation, and supplies the carrier wave to the mixer 93 .

Here, according to a carrier of a millimeter wave band such as 56 GHz, a differential signal having a data rate of, for example, 11 Gbps can be transmitted to the maximum. For example, since the maximum data rate in USB 3.0 is 5 Gbps (gigabit per second), data (differential signals) of USB 3.0 can be transmitted by a carrier wave of a millimeter wave band such as 56 GHz without any problem.

The mixer 93 frequency-converts the differential signal using the carrier wave from the oscillator 92 by mixing (multiplying) the differential signal from the amplifier 91 with the carrier wave from the oscillator 92, and supplies, for example, a signal obtained as a result thereof to the amplifier 94. Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK) mm-band modulated signal.

The amplifier 94 amplifies the modulated signal from the mixer 93 as necessary, and outputs the modulated signal on the waveguide (the millimeter wave connector 52 serving as the waveguide).

The receiving unit 82 includes an amplifier 101 , a mixer 102 , an amplifier 103 and capacitors 104 and 105 .

Amplifier 101 receives a millimeter-wave band modulation signal transmitted from transmission unit 71 through a waveguide (millimeter-wave connectors 52 and 62 serving as waveguides), amplifies the modulation signal as necessary, and supplies it to mixer 102 .

The mixer 102 applies frequency conversion to the millimeter-wave band modulation signal from the amplifier 101 to convert it into a signal corresponding to the baseband signal by performing square-law detection of mixing (modulation signal squaring) the millimeter-wave band modulation signal supplied from the amplifier 101. differential signal, and provide the differential signal to the amplifier 103.

The amplifier 103 amplifies the differential signal from the mixer 102 as necessary, and supplies it to the USB device 20 as a USB differential signal (for example, + and - signals 3.0 of a signal transmission line of USB 3.0 in the case of USB).

Note that one of the two (baseband) signals as a differential signal obtained in the amplifier 103 (hereinafter also referred to as a positive signal) is supplied to the USB device 20 via the capacitor 104, and the other signal (hereinafter also referred to as a negative signal) It is supplied to the USB device 20 via the capacitor 105 . In capacitors 104 and 105, DC elements are cut off.

In addition, it is assumed in FIG. 5 that the receiving unit 82 applies frequency conversion to the millimeter-wave band modulation signal through square-law detection to convert it into a baseband signal. However, alternatively, the receiving unit 82 may perform detection other than square-law detection. Frequency conversion is applied to the modulated signal to convert it to baseband signal, eg synchronous detection where the carrier is reproduced and mixed with the modulated signal.

The transmission unit 81 includes an amplifier 111 , an oscillator 112 , a mixer 113 and an amplifier 114 .

Since the amplifiers 111 to 114 have configurations similar to the amplifiers 91 to 94 of the transmitting unit 71 , description thereof will be omitted.

The receiving unit 72 includes an amplifier 121 , a mixer 122 , an amplifier 123 and capacitors 124 and 125 .

Since the amplifier 121 to the capacitor 125 have a configuration similar to that of the amplifier 101 to the capacitor 105 of the receiving unit 82 , description thereof will be omitted.

In the transmitting unit 71, the receiving unit 72, the transmitting unit 81, and the receiving unit 82 configured as described above, by transmitting the millimeter-wave band modulation signal from the transmitting unit 71 and receiving the modulated signal in the receiving unit 82, communication from the USB host 10 to The USB device 20 transmits baseband signals.

Further, transmission of a baseband signal from the USB device 20 to the USB host 10 is performed by transmitting the millimeter-wave band modulation signal from the transmission unit 81 and receiving the modulation signal in the reception unit 72 .

Incidentally, in the communication system of FIG. 3 , the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 are connected via communication units 53 and 63 adapted to exchange millimeter-wave band modulation signals. Therefore, even when the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 are connected by using the millimeter wave cables 50 and 60 , it is difficult for the USB host 10 to detect the detection target mechanism 22 included in the USB device 20 .

Furthermore, in a case where the USB host 10 has not detected the detection target mechanism 22 included in the USB device 20, the connection with the USB device 20 cannot be recognized (detected), and polling is not performed.

As a result, even when the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 are connected by using the millimeter wave cables 50 and 60 , there may be a problem that data transmission (exchange of baseband signals) is not performed between the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 .

Therefore, in the present technology, the problem that data transmission cannot be performed while increasing the diversity of connection modes between electronic devices, that is, between the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 is prevented.

<First embodiment of communication system to which present technology is applied>

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a first embodiment of a communication system to which the present technology is applied.

Note that in the drawings, components corresponding to those in the case of FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be appropriately omitted hereinafter.

The communication system of FIG. 6 is similar to the case of FIG. 3 in that it includes the USB host 10 , the USB device 20 and the millimeter wave cable 60 .

However, the communication system in FIG. 6 is different from the case of FIG. 3 in that the millimeter wave cable 200 is provided instead of the millimeter wave cable 50 .

The millimeter wave cable 200 is common to the millimeter wave cable 50 of FIG. 3 in that it includes a USB connector 51 and a millimeter wave connector 52 .

However, the millimeter wave cable 200 is different from the millimeter wave cable 50 of FIG. 3 in that the millimeter wave connector 52 includes the communication unit 201 instead of the communication unit 53 .

Meanwhile, similar to the case of FIG. 3 , the communication unit 201 may not be included in the millimeter wave connector 52 but included in the USB connector 51 .

Similar to the communication unit 53 in FIG. 3, the communication unit 201 applies frequency conversion to the differential signal (i.e., the baseband signal from the USB host 10) to convert it into a millimeter-wave band modulation signal, transmits the differential signal, and also receives the millimeter-wave band modulation signal , and apply frequency conversion to the millimeter wave band modulation signal to convert it into a baseband signal, and then provide the baseband signal to the USB host 10 .

Furthermore, the communication unit 201 includes a detection target mechanism 202 . The detection target mechanism 202 corresponds to the detection target mechanism 22 included in the USB device 20 (a mechanism similar to the detection target mechanism 22), and when the USB connector 51 is connected to the USB connector 11 of the USB host 10, the detection target mechanism 202 (Electrically) connected to the USB host 10 .

Therefore, in the same manner as in the case where the USB host 10 is connected to the USB device 20 through the USB cable 30 in FIG. In a similar manner, with the millimeter wave cable 200 connected, the USB host 10 detects the detection target mechanism 202 included in the communication unit 201 and recognizes the connection with the USB device 20 (even when the USB device 20 is not actually connected).

As a result, polling is started in the USB host 10, and data transmission (exchange of baseband signals) is performed with the USB device 20 (in the case where the USB device 20 is actually connected).

As described above, according to the communication system of FIG. 6, the problem that data transmission cannot be performed between the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 can be solved.

<Exemplary Configuration of Communication Unit 201 >

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an exemplary configuration of the communication unit 201 in FIG. 6 .

Note that, in the drawings, elements corresponding to those of the communication unit 53 in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be appropriately omitted hereinafter.

What the communication unit 201 has in common with the communication unit 53 in FIG. 4 is that it includes a receiving unit 72 .

However, the communication unit 201 differs from the communication unit 53 of FIG. 4 in that a transmission unit 211 is included instead of the transmission unit 71 .

Similar to the transmitting unit 71 in FIG. 4, the transmitting unit 211 applies frequency conversion (provided by the USB host 10) to the baseband signal to convert it into a millimeter-wave band modulation signal, and transmits it through the millimeter-wave connectors 52 and 62 serving as waveguides. Millimeter wave band modulated signal (sent to receiving unit 82).

Furthermore, the sending unit 211 includes a detection target mechanism 202 . The detection target mechanism 202 is provided on a route for supplying a baseband signal from the USB host 10 to the transmission unit 211 .

Therefore, when the millimeter wave cable 200 ( FIG. 6 ) (USB connector 51 ) is connected to (the USB connector 11 of) the USB host 10 , the USB host 10 detects the detection target mechanism 202 via this path to provide a baseband signal. to the sending unit 211, and recognizes the connection with the USB device 20 (even when the USB device 20 is not actually connected).

Meanwhile, in the communication system of FIG. 6 , in the case where a device that detects a target mechanism and recognizes a connection with a communication partner is used instead of the USB device 20 in a similar manner to the USB host 10, the communication unit 63 is provided in FIG. A communication unit of similar configuration to the communication unit 201 instead of the communication unit 63 .

<Exemplary Operation of Communication System>

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary operations of the communication system in FIG. 6 .

When the millimeter wave cable 200 (FIG. 6) is connected to the USB host 10, the USB host 10 is connected to the transmission unit 211 via this path to supply the baseband signal to the transmission unit 211, and therefore, in step S11, the transmission unit 211 makes the USB The host 10 detects the detection target mechanism 202 provided on the path to supply the baseband signal from the USB host 10 to the transmission unit 211 .

Upon detecting the detection target mechanism 202, the USB host 10 recognizes the connection to the USB device 20 and starts polling.

Then, when there is a response to the polling from the USB device 20 , the USB host 10 starts data transmission (exchange of baseband signals) with the USB device 20 .

<Exemplary Configuration of Transmission Unit 211 >

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration of the transmission unit 211.

Note that, in the drawings, elements corresponding to those of the transmitting unit 71 in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be appropriately omitted hereinafter.

The sending unit 211 is the same as the sending unit 71 in FIG. 5 in that it includes an amplifier 91 , an oscillator 92 , a mixer 93 and an amplifier 94 .

However, the transmitting unit 211 differs from the transmitting unit 71 of FIG. 5 in that the detection target mechanism 202 is included.

The detection target mechanism 202 is constituted by resistors R11 and _{R12 serving} as common mode impedance adopted in the USB 3.0 standard and the USB 3.1 standard.

One end of each of the resistors _R11 and _R12 is connected to the input terminal of the amplifier 91 to be provided with a differential signal, that is, a baseband signal from the USB host ₁₀ , and the other ends of the resistors R11 and _R12 are respectively connected to the power supply _Vd and V _s .

In other words, one end of the resistor R ₁₁ is connected to one of two input terminals of the amplifier 91 to be supplied (received) a positive signal as one signal of the differential signal, and the other end is connected to the power supply V _d .

One end of the resistor R ₁₂ is connected to one of two input terminals of the amplifier 91 to be supplied (received) as a negative signal of the other signal of the differential signal, and the other end is connected to the power supply V _s .

Here, the negative signal and the positive signal as differential signals are ideally signals in which the added value of the negative signal and the positive signal becomes zero.

In addition, the power source V _d is, for example, a power source with a voltage of +v (>0), and the power source V _s is, for example, a power source with a voltage of −v.

In the transmission unit 211 having the above configuration, when the millimeter wave cable 200 ( FIG. 6 ) is connected to the USB host 10 , the USB host 10 detects a resistance serving as a common mode impedance of the detection target mechanism 202 that is connected to the input terminal of the amplifier 91 to R ₁₁ and R ₁₂ .

Therefore, the USB host 10 recognizes the connection to the USB device 20 and starts polling.

Then, when there is a response to the polling from the USB device 20 , the USB host 10 starts data transmission (exchange of baseband signals) with the USB device 20 .

Baseband signals are exchanged between the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 as described below.

In other words, the baseband signal, that is, the differential signal output from the USB host 10, is converted into a millimeter-wave band modulation signal in the transmission unit 211 through the amplifier 91, the mixer 93, and the amplifier 94, and the millimeter-wave band modulation signal passes through the millimeter waveguide used as a waveguide. Wave connectors 52 and 62 transmit to receiving unit 82 .

The modulated signal from the transmitting unit 211 is received in the receiving unit 82 and converted into a baseband signal, ie, a differential signal, by the amplifier 101 , mixer 102 , amplifier 103 and capacitors 104 and 105 , and then supplied to the USB device 20 .

On the other hand, the baseband signal, that is, the differential signal output from the USB device 20, is converted into a millimeter-wave band modulation signal in the transmission unit 81 through the amplifier 111, the mixer 113, and the amplifier 114, and passes through the millimeter-wave connector 62 serving as a waveguide. and 52 are sent to the receiving unit 72.

The modulated signal from the transmitting unit 81 is received in the receiving unit 72 and converted into a baseband signal, ie, a differential signal, by an amplifier 121 , a mixer 122 , an amplifier 123 and capacitors 124 and 125 , and then supplied to the USB host 10 .

<Exemplary Operation of USB Host 10>

FIG. 10 is a diagram for describing an exemplary operation of the USB host 10 in the communication system of FIG. 6 .

6 to 9, when the millimeter wave cable 200 is connected to the USB host 10, the USB host 10 detects the detection target mechanism 202 provided in the millimeter wave connector 52 of the millimeter wave cable 200, thereby identifying the USB device 20. connection and start polling.

Now, in the case where the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 are connected by the millimeter wave cables 200 and 60 as shown in FIG. Perform data transfer between.

Incidentally, for example, even when the millimeter wave connector 52 of the millimeter wave cable 200 and the millimeter wave connector 62 of the millimeter wave cable 60 are not connected as shown in FIG. , the USB host 10 detects the detection target mechanism 202 of the communication unit 201 provided in the millimeter wave connector 52 of the millimeter wave cable 200, and recognizes the connection with the USB device 20, and performs polling as a result thereof.

However, in the case where the millimeter-wave connector 52 of the millimeter-wave cable 200 and the millimeter-wave connector 62 of the millimeter-wave cable 60 are not connected (when the millimeter-wave connectors 52 and 62 are separated from each other by more than the millimeter-wave band modulation can be received at the minimum necessary level In the case of the signal distance), the connection between the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 is cut off, so the USB device 20 does not respond to the polling of the USB host 10 .

Therefore, the USB host 10 continues to poll (its data transmission), and wastefully consumes power although it is not connected to the USB device 20 (the connection to the USB device 20 is cut off).

In consideration of this point, in the present technology, by controlling the connection state between the detection target mechanism (for example, common mode impedance serving as the detection target mechanism) and the USB host 10 according to the connection state between the USB host 10 and the USB device 20, connected to prevent wasteful power consumption in the USB host 10 as described above.

<Second embodiment of communication system to which present technology is applied>

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a second embodiment of a communication system to which the present technology is applied.

Note that in the drawings, components corresponding to those in the case of FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be appropriately omitted below.

The communication system of FIG. 11 is common to the case of FIG. 6 in that it includes the USB host 10 , the USB device 20 and the millimeter wave cable 60 .

However, the communication system in FIG. 11 is different from the case of FIG. 6 in that the millimeter wave cable 250 is provided instead of the millimeter wave cable 200 .

The millimeter wave cable 250 is common to the millimeter wave cable 200 of FIG. 6 in that it includes a USB connector 51 and a millimeter wave connector 52 .

However, the millimeter wave cable 250 differs from the millimeter wave cable 200 of FIG. 6 in that the millimeter wave connector 52 includes a communication unit 251 instead of the communication unit 201 .

Meanwhile, similar to the cases of FIGS. 3 and 6 , the communication unit 251 cannot be included in the millimeter wave connector 52 but is included in the USB connector 51 .

What the communication unit 251 has in common with the communication unit 201 in FIG. The mm-band modulation signal is applied to the baseband signal, and then the baseband signal is supplied to the USB host 10.

However, the communication unit 251 differs from the communication unit 201 of FIG. 6 in that a detection target mechanism 262 is included instead of the detection target mechanism 202 ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ).

The detection target mechanism 262 is common to the detection target mechanism 202 in that when the USB connector 51 is connected to the USB connector 11 of the USB host 10, the detection target mechanism 262 is (electrically) connected to the USB host 10, and thus is controlled by the USB host 10 detection.

However, the detection target mechanism 262 is different from the detection target mechanism 202 in that it is configured to be able to control the connection with the USB host 10 .

<Exemplary Configuration of Communication Unit 251 >

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an exemplary configuration of the communication unit 251 in FIG. 11 .

Note that, in the drawings, elements corresponding to those of the communication unit 201 in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be appropriately omitted hereinafter.

The communication unit 251 has in common with the communication unit 201 of FIG. 7 that it includes the receiving unit 72 .

However, the communication unit 251 differs from the communication unit 201 of FIG. 7 in that a transmission unit 261 is included instead of the transmission unit 211 .

Furthermore, the communication unit 251 is also different from the communication unit 201 of FIG. 7 in that a control unit 271 is newly provided.

Similar to the transmitting unit 211 in FIG. 7, the transmitting unit 261 applies frequency conversion (provided by the USB host 10) to the baseband signal to convert it into a millimeter-wave band modulation signal, and transmits it through the millimeter-wave connectors 52 and 62 serving as waveguides. Millimeter wave band modulated signal (sent to receiving unit 82).

Furthermore, the sending unit 261 includes a detection target mechanism 262 . The detection target mechanism 262 is provided on the route for supplying the baseband signal from the USB host 10, and is common to the detection target mechanism 202 of FIG. 7 in this point.

However, as shown in FIG. 11 , the detection target mechanism 262 is configured to be able to control the connection with the USB host 10 , and is different from the detection target mechanism 202 in this point.

The control unit 271 controls the connection between the detection target mechanism 262 and the USB host 10 according to the connection state between the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 .

In other words, the control unit 271 detects the connection (state) between the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 .

Then, in the case of detecting the connection between the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 (the fact that the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 are connected), the control unit 271 (electrically) connects the detection target mechanism 262 to the USB host 10 .

On the other hand, in the case where disconnection of the connection between the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 is detected (the fact that the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 are not connected), the control unit 271 causes the detection target mechanism 262 to communicate with the USB host 10. disconnect.

Meanwhile, in the communication system of FIG. 11 , in the case of using a device for detecting a target mechanism and recognizing a connection with a communication partner instead of the USB device 20 in the same manner as the USB host 10, in FIG. 12 the communication unit 63 provides a communication unit having a configuration similar to that of the communication unit 251 instead of the communication unit 63 .

<Exemplary Configuration of Control Unit 271 >

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an exemplary configuration of the control unit 271 in FIG. 12 .

In FIG. 13 , the control unit 271 has a connection detection unit 281 and a connection control unit 282 .

The connection detection unit 281 detects the connection (status) between the USB host 10 and the USB device 20, and supplies detection information indicating the detection result to the connection control unit 282.

The connection control unit 282 controls the connection between the detection target mechanism 262 and the USB host 10 according to the detection information from the connection detection unit 281 .

In other words, in the case where the detection information indicates connection of the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 , the connection control unit 282 controls the detection target mechanism 262 so as to connect to the USB host 10 .

On the other hand, in a case where the detection information indicates that the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 are not connected, the connection control unit 282 controls the detection target mechanism 262 to disconnect from the USB host 10 (release the connection with the USB host 10 ).

<Exemplary Configuration of Detection Target Mechanism 262 and Connection Detection Unit 281 >

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration of the detection target mechanism 262 and the connection detection unit 281 of FIG. 13 .

Here, as shown in FIG. 14 , the sending unit 261 is common to the sending unit 211 in FIG. 9 in that it includes an amplifier 91 , an oscillator 92 , a mixer 93 and an amplifier 94 .

However, the transmission unit 261 differs from the transmission unit 211 of FIG. 9 in that a detection target mechanism 262 is included instead of the detection target mechanism 202 .

The detection target mechanism ₂₆₂ is common to the detection target mechanism _{202 of FIG} . The input terminal of the amplifier 91 is provided with a differential signal corresponding to the baseband signal from the USB host ₁₀ ; and the other ends of the resistors R11 and _R12 are connected to the power supplies _Vd and _Vs , respectively.

However, the detection target mechanism ₂₆₂ is different from the detection target mechanism ₂₀₂ of FIG. A switch SW12 is newly provided between one end of _R12 and the input signal of the amplifier 91 supplied with the negative signal.

Under the control of the connection control unit 282, the switches SW11 and _SW12 are turned _on or off.

In FIG. 14, in the case where the millimeter wave cable 200 (FIG. 6) is connected to the USB host 10, when the switches SW ₁₁ and SW ₁₂ are turned on, the USB host 10 and the detection target mechanism 262 are connected, and therefore, the USB host 10 The resistors R ₁₁ and R ₁₂ serving as the common mode impedance constituting the detection target mechanism 262 can be detected.

Furthermore, in FIG. 14, even in the case where the millimeter wave cable 200 (FIG. 6) is connected to the USB host ₁₀ , when the switches SW11 and SW12 are turned off, the USB host ₁₀ is disconnected from the detection target mechanism 262, Therefore, the USB host 10 cannot detect the resistors R ₁₁ and R ₁₂ serving as the common mode impedance constituting the detection target mechanism 262 .

In the case where the detection information from the connection detection unit 281 indicates that the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 are connected, the connection control unit 282 turns _on the switches SW11 and SW12, so that the USB host ₁₀ and the detection target mechanism 262 are connected, thereby making the USB host 10 sense resistors R ₁₁ and R ₁₂ serving as the common mode impedance constituting the sense target mechanism 262 .

Furthermore, in the case where the detection information from the connection detection unit 281 indicates that the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 are not connected, the connection control unit 282 turns off the switches SW ₁₁ and SW ₁₂ , so that the connection between the USB host 10 and the detection target mechanism 262 is turned off so that the USB host 10 does not detect the resistors R ₁₁ and R ₁₂ serving as the common mode impedance constituting the detection target mechanism 262 .

In FIG. 14 , the connection detection unit 281 includes resistors R ₂₁ and R ₂₂ , capacitors C ₂₁ and C ₂₂ , and a determination unit 291 .

One end of the resistor _R21 is connected to one of two terminals to output a differential signal of the mixer 122 to output a positive signal corresponding to one signal of the differential signal, and the other end is connected to one end of the capacitor _C21 . The other end of the capacitor C ₂₁ is connected to the power supply V _d .

One end of the resistor _R22 is connected to one of two terminals to output a differential signal of the mixer 122 to output a negative signal of the other signal as the differential signal, and the other end is connected to one end of the capacitor _C22 . The other end of the capacitor C ₂₂ is connected to the power supply V _s .

The determination unit 291 is supplied with the voltage V ₁ at the connection point between the resistor R21 and the capacitor C21 , and is also supplied with the voltage V ₂ at the connection point between the resistor _R22 and the capacitor _C22 .

Here, the direct current (DC) offset of the positive signal output of the differential signal appears at the connection point between the resistor R ₂₁ and the capacitor C ₂₁ , and the DC offset of the negative signal output of the differential signal appears at the resistor R ₂₂ and capacitor _C22 at the connection point.

Therefore, voltage _V1 is the DC offset for positive signals and voltage _V2 is the DC offset for negative signals.

The determination unit 291 detects the difference V ₁ -V ₂ between the voltages V ₁ and V ₂ as the power of the modulated signal received in the receiving unit 72 .

Here, in the case where the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 are not connected through the millimeter wave cables 250 and 60, the modulated signal from the transmission unit 81 on the USB device 20 side cannot be received in the reception unit 72 on the USB host 10 side, And the power of the modulated signal received in the receiving unit 72 becomes zero (including a value that can be considered as zero). As a result, the DC offsets of the positive and negative signals as voltages V ₁ and V ₂ become (substantially) zero.

On the other hand, in the case where the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 are connected by the millimeter wave cables 250 and 60, the modulated signal transmitted from the transmission unit 81 on the USB device 20 side is received in the reception unit 72 of the USB host 10, and is used as The DC offsets of the positive and negative signals of the voltages V ₁ and V ₂ become amplitudes corresponding to the power of the modulation signal from the transmission unit 81 .

The determination unit 291 detects the difference V ₁ −V ₂ between the DC offsets V ₁ and V ₂ (as their voltages) of the positive and negative signals, that is, the differential signal, as the power of the modulated signal received in the receiving unit 72 .

Here, for example, assuming that the DC offset V1 _of the positive signal is +a (>0), the DC offset V2 of the negative signal ideally becomes -a. In other words, the DC offset V ₁ of the positive signal and the DC offset V ₂ of the negative signal ideally become values of the same magnitude with opposite signs.

Therefore, only one of the DC offset V ₁ of the positive signal and the DC offset V ₂ of the negative signal can be detected as the power of the modulated signal received in the receiving unit 72 in the determination unit 291 .

However, since the determination unit 291 detects the difference V ₁ −V ₂ between the DC offsets V ₁ and V ₂ as the power of the modulated signal received in the receiving unit 72 as described above, it can be compared to only detecting the DC offset V The case where one of ₁ and V ₂ is used as the power of the modulating signal more improves the sensitivity for detecting the power of the modulating signal.

Meanwhile, in FIG. 14 , the connection detection unit 281 detects the power of the modulated signal received in the reception unit 72 by using the output of the mixer 122 of the reception unit 72. In addition, the connection detection unit 281 may detect the power of the modulation signal received in the reception unit 72 by using, for example, the amplifier 123. The output of the amplifier 121 and the output of the amplifier 121 receive the power of the modulated signal in the receiving unit 72 .

As described above, the determination unit 291 detects the difference V ₁ -V ₂ between the DC offsets V ₁ and V ₂ as the power of the modulated signal received in the reception unit 72, and the power between the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 The connection state is detected by determining whether the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 are connected based on the power of the modulated signal.

Then, the determination unit 291 supplies the connection control unit 282 with detection information indicating a detection result about the connection state between the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 .

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary process of detecting a connection state between the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 by the determination unit 291 in FIG. 14 .

In the case where the power of the modulated signal is above a predetermined threshold (larger), and thus the millimeter wave connectors 52 and 62 are connected and it can be recognized that the modulated signal is transmitted from the USB device 20 to the USB host 10, the determination unit 291 determines (detects) the USB The host 10 and the USB device 20 are connected.

On the other hand, when the power of the modulated signal is below the predetermined threshold (smaller), the connection between the millimeter wave connectors 52 and 62 is released, and it is recognized (determined) in the USB host 10 that the modulated signal cannot be transmitted from the USB device 20 In the case of reception, the determination unit 291 determines (detects) that the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 are not connected.

Here, note that the first threshold in the case where the determination unit 291 determines that the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 are connected is also referred to as a connection threshold TH _close , and the first threshold in the case where it is determined that the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 are not connected The second threshold is also referred to as the disconnection threshold TH _open .

Also, note that among the detection results about the connection state between the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 in the determination unit 291, a detection result indicating that the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 are connected will also be referred to as a connection detection result, and A detection result indicating that the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 are not connected is also referred to as a disconnection detection result.

In the case where the same predetermined threshold is adopted as the connection threshold TH _close and the disconnection threshold TH _open , and the power of the modulated signal is a value close to the predetermined threshold, the connection detection result and the disconnection detection result are frequently switched, as regarding the USB host 10 and the detection result of the connection state between the USB device 20, as a result, the connection and disconnection between the USB host 10 and the detection target mechanism 262 may be switched frequently.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15 , values different from each other and satisfying the relationship TH _close >TH _open are adopted as the connection threshold TH _close and the disconnection threshold TH _open , and a so-called hysteresis can be provided not only for connection between the USB host 10 and The detection result of the connection state between the USB devices 20 is also used to switch between connection and disconnection between the USB host 10 and the detection target mechanism 262 .

In this case, when the power of the modulated signal becomes the connection threshold TH _close or more, a connection detection result is obtained as a detection result on the connection state between the USB host 10 and the USB device 20, and the target mechanism 262 is detected. Connect to USB host 10.

Then, when the detection target mechanism 262 is connected to the USB host 10, even in the case where the power of the modulated signal becomes the connection threshold value TH _close or less, the connection detection result is obtained as a connection detection result with respect to the connection between the USB host 10 and the USB device 20. The detection result of the connection state, and the detection target mechanism 262 remains connected to the USB host 10 without disconnection.

When the detection target mechanism 262 is connected to the USB host 10, in the case where the power of the modulated signal becomes a disconnection threshold TH _open or less than the connection threshold TH _close , a disconnection detection result is obtained as a connection between the USB host 10 and the USB host 10. The detection result of the connection state between the devices 20 is detected, and the detection target mechanism 262 is disconnected from the USB host 10 .

Furthermore, when the detection target mechanism 262 is disconnected from the USB host 10, even in the case where the power of the modulated signal becomes the disconnection threshold TH _open or higher, a disconnection detection result is obtained as a result regarding the USB host 10 and the USB device. 20, and the detection target mechanism 262 remains disconnected from the USB host 10 without being connected.

When the detection target mechanism 262 is disconnected from the USB host 10, when the power of the modulated signal becomes the threshold TH _close or higher than the disconnection threshold TH _open , the connection detection result is obtained as the connection detection result for the USB host 10 and the USB device 20. As a result of detection of the connection state between them, the detection target mechanism 262 is connected to the USB host 10 .

As described above, since hysteresis is provided in switching between connection and disconnection between the USB host 10 and the detection target mechanism 262, it is possible to prevent the Switching occurs frequently.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an exemplary operation of the control unit 271 ( FIG. 13 ) in the case where the connection detection unit 281 is configured as shown in FIG. 14 .

Note that, according to the flowchart of FIG. 16 , it is assumed that the detection target mechanism 262 is disconnected from the USB host 10 before starting the operation.

In step S21, the determination unit 291 of the connection detection unit 281 detects the difference V ₁ −V ₂ between the DC offset V ₁ of the positive signal of the differential signal and the DC offset V ₂ of the negative signal of the differential signal as The power of the modulated signal received in step S22, and the process proceeds to step S22. _The DC biases V1 and V2 correspond to baseband signals output from the mixer 122 of the receiving unit ₇₂ and obtained by applying frequency conversion to the millimeter-wave band modulation signal.

In step S22, the determination unit 291 determines whether the power of the modulated signal (hereinafter also referred to as signal power) is the connection threshold TH _close or greater.

In step S22, in the case where it is determined that the signal power is not the connection threshold TH _close or greater, in other words, when the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 are not connected via the millimeter wave cables 250 and 60 and no modulated signal is sent from the USB host 10 to In the case of the USB device 20, the processing returns to step S21, and similar processing is repeated thereafter.

Furthermore, in step S22, in the case where it is determined that the signal power is the connection threshold TH _close or more, in other words, the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 are connected via the millimeter wave cables 250 and 60 and the modulated signal is sent from the USB host 10 to the USB In the case of the device 20, the determination unit 291 supplies the detection information indicating the connection detection result to the connection control unit 282, and the process proceeds to step S23.

In step S23, the connection control unit 282 connects the detection target mechanism 262 to the USB host 10 by turning _on the switches SW11 and SW12 (FIG. ₁₄ ) according to the detection information from the determination unit 291, and the process proceeds to step S24.

Since the detection target mechanism 262 is connected to the USB host 10 , the USB host 10 detects the resistors R ₁₁ and R ₁₂ serving as the common mode impedance constituting the detection target mechanism 262 . When the resistors R11 and _R12 serving as common mode impedance are detected, the USB host ₁₀ recognizes (detects) the connection to the USB device 20, and starts outputting a baseband signal as polling.

Then, when the USB device 20 responds to the polling from the USB host 10, a connection is established between the USB host 10 and the USB device 20, and data transfer can be performed.

In step S24, similarly to step S21, the determination unit 291 of the connection detection unit 281 detects the power of the modulated signal received in the receiving unit 72, and the process proceeds to step S25.

In step S25, the determination unit 291 determines whether the power (signal power) of the modulated signal is an off threshold TH _open or less.

In step S25, in the case where it is determined that the signal power is not the off threshold TH _open or less, in other words, for example, the connection between the millimeter wave connectors 52 and 62 is not released and can be on the USB host 10 side (on which In the case where the modulated signal is received from the USB device 20 side (on which the transmission unit 81) is received in the receiving unit 72), the process returns to step S24, after which similar processing is repeated.

Furthermore, in step S25, in the case where it is determined that the signal power is the disconnection threshold TH _open or less, in other words, for example, when the connection between the millimeter wave connectors 52 and 62 is released and the connection from In the case of the modulated signal of the USB device 20, the determination unit 291 supplies the connection control unit 282 with detection information indicating a disconnection detection result, and the process proceeds to step S26.

In step S26, the connection control unit 282 disconnects the detection target mechanism 262 from the USB host 10 by turning off the switches SW ₁₁ and SW ₁₂ ( FIG. 14 ) based on the detection information from the determination unit 291, the process returns to step S21, and repeats. similar treatment.

Since the detection target mechanism 262 is disconnected from the USB host 10, the USB host 10 cannot detect the resistors R11 and _R12 (FIG. ₁₄ ) serving as the common mode impedance constituting the detection target mechanism 262. Therefore, the USB host 10 recognizes (detects) the disconnection from the USB device 20 and stops outputting the baseband signal.

Therefore, although the USB host 10 is not connected to the USB device 20, wasteful power consumption due to continuous output of baseband signals can be prevented.

Here, in FIG. 16 , in the case of executing the processing in steps S21, S22, and S26, the detection target mechanism 262 enters a state of being disconnected from the USB host 10, and in the case of executing the processing in steps S23 to S25, detection The target machine 262 enters a state of being connected to the USB host 10 .

Meanwhile, in the communication system of FIG. 11 , it is implicitly assumed that: when the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 are connected, the transmitting unit 81 ( FIG. 12 ) on the side of the USB device 20 transmits a modulated signal; The connection state between the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 is detected in the detection unit 281 ( FIG. 13 ), however, the detection method of detecting the connection state between the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 is not limited thereto.

In other words, for example, the millimeter wave connectors 52 and 62 are provided with a mechanism having a different state between when the millimeter wave connectors 52 and 62 are connected and when the connection therebetween is released, and the USB host 10 can be detected based on the state of the mechanism. The connection status with the USB device 20.

In this case, it is possible to reduce the power consumption.

<Another second embodiment of the communication system to which the present technology is applied>

Another exemplary configuration of the second embodiment of the communication system to which the present technology is applied will be described.

In the second embodiment described above, a description is given of an example in which the determination unit 291 detects the power of the modulated signal received in the receiving unit 72, and by determining whether the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 are connected based on the power of the modulated signal, To detect the connection status between the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 .

Next, as another exemplary configuration of the second embodiment of the communication system to which the present technology is applied, detection of the connection state between the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 by detecting whether a baseband signal is received in the receiving unit 72 will be described Case.

Since another configuration of the second embodiment of the communication system to which the present technology is applied is similar to that of the communication system in the configuration of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 11 , description thereof will be omitted here. Furthermore, since the configuration of the communication unit 251 shown in FIG. 12 is also applicable to another configuration of the second embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

<Exemplary Configuration of Control Unit 271'>

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing an exemplary configuration of the control unit 271 in FIG. 12 . In the following description, the control unit 271 shown in FIG. 17 is described as a control unit 271 ′ with a dash attached thereto in order to distinguish it from the control unit 271 shown in FIG. 13 .

In FIG. 13 , the control unit 271 ′ has a signal detection unit 301 and a connection control unit 302 .

The signal detection unit 301 detects the connection (state) between the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 , and supplies detection information indicating the detection result to the connection control unit 302 . The signal detection unit 301 determines whether the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 are in a state capable of sending and receiving data by detecting baseband signals.

The connection control unit 302 controls the connection between the detection target mechanism 262 and the USB host 10 according to the detection information from the signal detection unit 301 .

In other words, in a case where the detection information indicates that the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 are connected (communication is possible), the connection control unit 302 controls the detection target mechanism 262 so as to connect to the USB host 10 .

On the other hand, in the case where the detection information indicates that the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 are not connected (cannot communicate), the connection control unit 302 controls the detection target mechanism 262 so as to disconnect from the USB host 10 (release the connection with the USB host 10). connect).

<Exemplary Configuration of Detection Target Mechanism 262 and Signal Detection Unit 301 >

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration of the detection target mechanism 262 and the signal detection unit 301 in FIG. 17 .

Here, as shown in FIG. 18 , the transmission unit 261 has a configuration similar to that of the transmission unit 211 of FIG.

Like the detection target mechanism 262 shown in _FIG . ₁₄ , the detection target mechanism ₂₆₂ shown in _FIG . One end is connected to the input terminal of the amplifier 91 supplied with a differential signal corresponding to the baseband signal from the USB host ₁₀ , and the other ends of the resistors R11 and _R12 are connected to power supplies _Vd and _Vs , respectively.

Further, the detection target mechanism 262 has a switch SW 11 provided between one end of the resistor R ₁₁ and the input terminal of the amplifier 91 supplied with a positive signal, and also has a switch SW ₁₁ provided between one end of the resistor R ₁₂ and supplied with a negative signal. A switch SW ₁₂ between the input terminals of the amplifier 91 .

The switches SW11 and _SW12 are different from the detection target mechanism 262 shown in FIG. ₁₄ in that the switches are turned on or off under the control of the connection control unit 302 .

In FIG. 18, when the switches SW11 and SW12 are turned _on with the millimeter wave cable 200 (FIG. 6) connected to the USB host ₁₀ , the USB host 10 and the detection target mechanism 262 are connected, and therefore, the USB host 10 can detect Resistors R ₁₁ and R ₁₂ function as the common mode impedance constituting the detection target mechanism 262 .

In addition, in FIG. 18, even if the millimeter wave cable 200 (FIG. 6) is connected to the USB host ₁₀ , when the switches SW11 and SW12 are turned off, the connection between the USB host ₁₀ and the detection target mechanism 262 is disconnected, therefore, The USB host 10 cannot detect the resistors R ₁₁ and R ₁₂ serving as the common mode impedance constituting the detection target mechanism 262 .

In the case where the detection information from the signal detection unit 301 indicates that the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 are connected in a communicable state, the connection control unit 302 turns on the switches SW ₁₁ and SW ₁₂ , and thus, the USB host 10 and the detection target mechanism 262 connected so that the USB host 10 detects the resistors R ₁₁ and R ₁₂ serving as the common mode impedance constituting the detection target mechanism 262 .

Furthermore, in the case where the detection information from the signal detection unit 301 indicates that the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 are not connected in a communicable state, the connection control unit 302 turns off the switches SW11 and _SW12 , and as a result, the USB host ₁₀ and the detection target The connection between the mechanisms 262 is disconnected, thereby not causing the USB host 10 to detect the resistors R ₁₁ and R ₁₂ serving as the common mode impedance constituting the detection target mechanism 262 .

The communicable state is a state in which baseband signals can be transmitted and received. The start of sending and receiving baseband signals is the polling time. As described above, when one of the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 sends a poll and the other responds to the poll, a connection between the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 is established and data transmission is achieved.

The signal detection unit 301 detects that a connection is established between the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 . When the connection is established, the connection control unit 302 turns _on the switches SW11 and SW12, thereby connecting the USB host ₁₀ and the detection target mechanism, and causing the USB host ₁₀ to detect the resistor R11 serving as the common mode impedance constituting the detection target mechanism 262 and R ₁₂ .

In FIG. 18 , a signal detection unit 301 is provided between the amplifier 123 and the capacitor 124 (capacitor 125 ). In other words, the signal detection unit 301 receives the differential signal output from the amplifier 123 and outputs the differential signal to the capacitor 124 and the capacitor 125 .

When receiving the differential signal, the signal detection unit 301 determines that the signal is detected, and detects that the connection between the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 is established.

The signal detection unit 301 supplies the connection control unit 302 with detection information indicating a detection result about the connection state between the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 .

FIG. 19 is a flowchart describing exemplary processing in which the signal detection unit 301 in FIG. 18 detects the connection state between the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 and exemplary connection processing by the connection control unit 302 based on the detection result.

Note that, according to the flowchart of FIG. 19 , it is assumed that the detection target mechanism 262 is disconnected from the USB host 10 before starting operation. In addition, the signal detection unit 301 ( FIG. 18 ) of the USB host 10 monitors whether or not a baseband signal is received.

In step S41 , the signal detection unit 301 determines whether a differential signal is detected as a baseband signal obtained by applying frequency conversion to the millimeter-wave band modulation signal output from the amplifier 123 of the reception unit 72 . In step S41, the process of step S41 is repeated until it is determined that the baseband signal is detected, and monitoring related to the detection of the baseband signal is continued.

On the other hand, when a baseband signal is detected by the signal detection unit 301 in step S41, the switches SW ₁₁ and SW ₁₂ are turned on in step S42 (FIG. 18). In a case where the detection result from the signal detection unit 301 indicates that a baseband signal is detected, the connection control unit 302 connects the detection target mechanism 262 to the USB host ₁₀ by turning _on the switches SW11 and SW12.

In step S43, a timer for monitoring a non-signal period (hereinafter referred to as a non-signal period monitoring timer) is cleared. The signal detection unit 301 or the connection control unit 302 includes a non-signal period monitoring timer. Here, the description will be continued assuming that the signal detection unit 301 includes a non-signal period monitoring timer.

The signal detection unit 301 includes a timer (non-signal period monitoring timer) that counts a period in which no differential signal is output from the amplifier 123 , in other words, a period in which no baseband signal is detected. In step S43, the counter value in the non-signal period monitoring timer is reset to zero.

Meanwhile, in the case where the connection control unit 302 includes a non-signal period monitoring timer, the non-signal period is monitored by using the detection result from the signal detection unit 301 .

In step S44, the counter value of the non-signal period monitoring timer is counted. For example, the counter value is incremented by 1.

In step S45, it is determined whether a baseband signal is detected. In a case where the signal detection unit 301 determines that a baseband signal is detected, the process returns to step S43, and the non-signal period monitoring timer is cleared.

On the other hand, in a case where the signal detection unit 301 determines in step S45 that no baseband signal has been detected, the process proceeds to step S46. In step S46, it is determined whether the counter value of the non-signal period monitoring timer is the non-signal period threshold value or more.

In step S46, in a case where it is determined that the counter value of the non-signal period monitoring timer is not the non-signal period threshold value or more, the process returns to step S44, and the non-signal period monitoring timer continues counting.

On the other hand, in a case where it is determined in step S46 that the counter value of the non-signal period monitoring timer is the non-signal period threshold value or more, the process proceeds to step S47, and switches SW11 and SW12 are turned off ( _FIG . ₁₈ ). In the case where the signal detection unit 301 includes a non-signal period monitoring timer, the signal detection unit 301 outputs a detection result indicating that no baseband signal is detected when the determination counter value is the non-signal period threshold or greater to the connection control unit 302 .

In case the detection result from the signal detection unit 301 indicates that no baseband signal is detected, the detection target mechanism 262 is disconnected from the USB host 10 by the connection control unit 302 turning off the switches SW ₁₁ and SW ₁₂ . Thereafter, the processing is returned to step S41, and subsequent processing thereof is repeated.

Therefore, when the non-signal period monitoring timer is provided and the non-signal state continues for a predetermined period, the switches SW11 and _SW12 that have been turned _on are controlled to be turned off.

For example, when a non-signal period monitoring timer is provided and no baseband signal is detected, the switches _SW11 and _SW12 may be frequently turned _on and off in the case _of performing control to immediately turn them off.

Therefore, since the switches SW ₁₁ and SW ₁₂ are switched from the on state to the off state when no baseband signal is detected for a predetermined period while the non-signal period monitoring timer is provided, so-called hysteresis can be provided for The connection and disconnection between the USB host 10 and the detection target mechanism 262 are switched.

Therefore, the connection between the detection target mechanism 262 and the USB host 10 is controlled by detecting the baseband signal, and the communication with the USB device 20 is started or terminated.

The USB device 20 includes various devices such as a device requiring a short time and a device requiring a baseband signal output for a long time, for example, polling after connection to the USB host 10 (response to polling). Since the detection target mechanism 262 is connected to the USB host 10 after detecting the baseband signal, the connection between the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 can be established with certainty regardless of the time required for the USB device 20 to become a state capable of outputting the baseband signal. Communication.

In addition, since the USB host 10 connects the detection target mechanism 262 after detecting the baseband signal from the USB device 20, and disconnects the detection target mechanism 262 after no longer detecting the baseband signal from the USB device 20, continuous output of the baseband can be prevented. The signal causes wasteful power consumption even though the USB host 10 is not connected to the USB device 20 .

In other words, when the baseband signal from the USB device 20 is detected, the USB host 10 maintains the connection with the detection target mechanism 262, and when the baseband signal from the USB device 20 stops due to, for example, releasing the connection to the USB device 20, the base station signal Since the output from the USB host 10 to the USB device 20 is stopped, it is possible to prevent wasteful power consumption caused by continuously outputting baseband signals.

<Third Embodiment of Communication System to which Present Technology is Applied>

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a third embodiment of a communication system to which the present technology is applied.

In the communication system of FIG. 20 , a USB host 310 and a USB device 320 are connected by a millimeter wave ready cable 330 .

The USB host 310 is an electronic device having a function as a USB host similar to the USB host 10 , and includes a USB interface 311 and a millimeter wave connector 312 .

The USB interface 311 is an interface for controlling the transfer data of USB, and is connected to the millimeter wave connector 312 (communication unit 313 included therein).

Similar to the millimeter wave connectors 52 and 62 ( FIGS. 6 and 11 ), the millimeter wave connector 312 is formed of a material such as a dielectric material serving as a waveguide suitable for transmitting a millimeter wave band modulation signal, and contains a communication unit 313 .

The communication unit 313 has a configuration similar to that of the communication unit 201 (FIG. 6) and the communication unit 251 (FIG. 11), and performs transmission and reception of baseband signals using the USB interface 311, and also transmits and receives signals through the millimeter wave connector serving as a waveguide. 312 and 331 utilize the communication unit 333 to perform transmission and reception of millimeter wave band modulation signals.

The USB device 320 is electronic equipment having a function as a USB device similar to the USB device 20 , and includes a USB interface 321 and a millimeter wave connector 322 .

The USB interface 321 is an interface for controlling data transfer of USB, and is connected to the millimeter wave connector 322 (communication unit 323 included therein).

Similar to the millimeter wave connectors 52 and 62 ( FIGS. 6 and 11 ), the millimeter wave connector 312 is formed of a material such as a dielectric material serving as a waveguide suitable for transmitting a millimeter wave band modulation signal, and includes a communication unit 323 .

The communication unit 323 has a configuration similar to that of, for example, the communication unit 63 ( FIGS. 6 and 11 ), and uses the USB interface 321 to perform transmission and reception of baseband signals, and also uses the millimeter wave connectors 322 and 332 serving as waveguides. The communication unit 334 performs transmission and reception of millimeter-wave band modulation signals.

The millimeter-wave ready cable 330 is a cable having a core formed of conductors in which: a millimeter-wave connector 331 to be mated with the millimeter-wave connector 312 of the USB host 310 is provided at one end; and a millimeter-wave connector 331 to be mated with the USB device 320 is provided at the other end The millimeter wave connector 322 mates with the millimeter wave connector 332 .

Similar to the millimeter wave connectors 52 and 62 ( FIGS. 6 and 11 ), the millimeter wave connectors 331 and 332 are each formed of a material such as a dielectric material used as a waveguide suitable for transmitting a millimeter wave band modulation signal. Furthermore, the millimeter wave connector 331 includes a communication unit 333 , and the millimeter wave connector 332 includes a communication unit 334 .

The communication unit 333 has a configuration similar to that of, for example, the communication unit 63 ( FIGS. 6 and 11 ), and performs transmission and reception of a millimeter wave band modulation signal with the communication unit 313 via the millimeter wave connectors 331 and 312 serving as waveguides, and Transmission and reception of baseband signals are also performed with the communication unit 334 via the conductor serving as the core wire of the millimeter-wave ready cable 330 .

The communication unit 334 has a configuration similar to that of, for example, the communication unit 53 ( FIG. 3 ), and performs transmission and reception of a millimeter-wave band modulation signal with the communication unit 323 via the millimeter-wave connectors 332 and 322 serving as waveguides, and also via the The conductor serving as the core wire of the millimeter-wave ready cable 330 performs transmission and reception of baseband signals with the communication unit 333 .

In FIG. 20, by connecting the millimeter wave connector 331 of the millimeter wave ready cable 330 to the millimeter wave connector 312 of the USB host 310, and also connecting the millimeter wave connector 332 of the millimeter wave ready cable 330 to the USB device 320 The millimeter wave connector 322 , the USB host 310 and the USB device 320 are connected by a millimeter wave ready cable 330 .

In addition, by performing exchange of modulation signals between the communication units 313 and 333, exchange of baseband signals between the communication units 333 and 334, and exchange of modulation signals between the communication units 334 and 323, the USB Data transmission of baseband signals is performed between the interface 311 and the USB interface 321 of the USB device 320 .

In FIG. 20, millimeter-wave connectors 312, 322, 331, and 332 may each be formed of non-metal in a manner similar to millimeter-wave connectors 52 and 62, and in this case, they are comparable to connectors formed of metal. than, it is easier to deal with waterproofing and dustproofing, and there is no need to consider the deterioration of contact points caused by insertion/removal, and in addition, the degree of freedom in design can be increased.

Here, in the communication system of FIG. 6 and FIG. 11, in order to perform data transmission between the USB host 10 and the USB device 20, two millimeter wave cables 200 (or 250) and 60 need to be used to connect the USB host 10 and the USB device. 20.

However, in the communication systems of FIGS. 6 and 11 , it is not necessary to provide the USB host 10 and the USB device 20 with millimeter wave connectors such as millimeter wave connectors 312 and 322 as in the case of FIG. 20 .

On the other hand, in the communication system of FIG. 20 , it is necessary to provide the USB host 310 with the millimeter wave connector 312 and also provide the USB device 320 with the millimeter wave connector 322 .

However, in the communication system of FIG. 20 , the USB host 310 and the USB device 320 may be connected by one millimeter-wave ready cable 330 to perform data transfer between the USB host 310 and the USB device 320 .

Furthermore, in the communication system of FIG. 20 , at the connection portion between the USB host 310 and the millimeter-wave ready cable 330 and at the connection portion between the USB device 320 and the millimeter-wave ready cable 330 , such as easy dustproofing and Waterproof and other advantages.

<Fourth Embodiment of Communication System to which Present Technology is Applied>

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a fourth embodiment of a communication system to which the present technology is applied.

Note that in the drawings, components corresponding to those in the case of FIG. 20 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be appropriately omitted hereinafter.

The communication system of FIG. 21 is common to the situation of FIG. 20 in that it includes a USB host 310 and a USB device 320, but differs from the situation of FIG. 20 in that a mmWave transmission cable 350 is provided instead of a mmWave ready cable 330 .

The millimeter-wave transmission cable 350 is a cable in which a waveguide for transmitting modulation signals in the millimeter-wave band is used as a core wire, and a millimeter-wave connector 351 that matches the millimeter-wave connector 312 of the USB host 310 is provided at one end, and a millimeter-wave connector 351 that matches the USB device 320 is provided at the other end. The millimeter wave connector 322 is the millimeter wave connector 352 .

Similar to the millimeter wave connectors 52 and 62 ( FIGS. 6 and 11 ), the millimeter wave connectors 351 and 352 are each formed of a material such as a dielectric material used as a waveguide suitable for transmitting a millimeter wave band modulation signal.

Therefore, the entire millimeter-wave transmission cable 350 (from the millimeter-wave connectors 351 to 352 ) functions as a waveguide suitable for transmitting millimeter-wave band modulation signals.

In FIG. 21, by connecting the millimeter wave connector 351 of the millimeter wave transmission cable 350 to the millimeter wave connector 312 of the USB host 310, and also connecting the millimeter wave connector 352 of the millimeter wave transmission cable 350 to the USB device 320 The millimeter wave connector 322 , the USB host 310 and the USB device 320 are connected via a millimeter wave transmission cable 350 .

In addition, by exchanging the millimeter-wave band modulation signal between the communication units 313 and 323 via the millimeter-wave transmission cable 350 serving as a waveguide, the data of the baseband signal is performed between the USB interface 311 of the USB host 310 and the USB interface 321 of the USB device 320 transmission.

In the communication system of FIG. 21 as well, effects similar to those in the case of FIG. 20 can be obtained.

<Fifth Embodiment of Communication System to which Present Technology is Applied>

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a fifth embodiment of a communication system to which the present technology is applied.

Note that in the drawings, components corresponding to those in the case of FIG. 20 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be appropriately omitted hereinafter.

The communication system of FIG. 22 is common to the case of FIG. 20 in including the USB host 310 and the USB device 320 , but is different from the case of FIG. 20 in that the millimeter wave ready cable 330 is not provided.

The mmWave connector 312 of the USB host 310 and the mmWave connector 322 of the USB device 320 respectively mate with the mmWave connectors 331 and 332 of the mmWave ready cable 330 (or the mmWave connectors 351 and 352 of the mmWave transmission cable 350) , and can also cooperate directly with each other.

In FIG. 22, for example, the millimeter-wave connector 312 of the USB host 310 and the millimeter-wave connector 322 of the USB device 320 are directly connected, and the USB memory serving as the USB device is directly connected to a personal computer (PC) serving as the USB host. same situation.

Furthermore, exchange of the millimeter-wave band modulation signal is performed by performing the exchange of the millimeter-wave band modulation signal between the communication unit 313 included in the millimeter-wave connector 312 and the communication unit 323 included in the millimeter-wave connector 322 via the millimeter-wave connectors 312 and 322 serving as waveguides , data transmission of baseband signals is performed between the USB interface 311 of the USB host 310 and the USB interface 321 of the USB device 320 .

In the communication system of FIG. 22 as well, effects similar to those in the case of FIG. 20 can be obtained.

Meanwhile, embodiments of the present technology are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within a range not departing from the gist of the present technology.

For example, in this embodiment, a millimeter wave band signal is used as the modulation signal, but a signal in a frequency band lower or higher than the millimeter wave may be used as the modulation signal.

In addition, in this embodiment, the case where this technology is applied to an electronic device conforming to the USB standard (communication system formed therefrom) has been described, but this technology can be applied not only to an electronic device conforming to a USB device but also to For electronic equipment and the like employing a system of detecting a communication partner (connection with a communication partner) by using a detection target mechanism included in the communication partner, for example, electronic equipment including PCI Express as an interface.

In addition, in the communication system of FIG. 6, the communication unit 201 is included in the millimeter wave connector 52, but the communication unit 201 may be included in the millimeter wave connector 52 under the condition that a waveguide for transmitting a modulation signal is formed on the way to the communication unit 62. anywhere on the cable 200. The communication unit 62 may be included in any position of the millimeter-wave cable 60 other than the millimeter-wave connector 62 as long as the waveguide is formed on the way to the communication unit 201 . The same applies to the communication system of FIG. 11 .

Here, in this specification, a system refers to an assembly including a plurality of constituent elements (apparatus, modules (parts), etc.), regardless of whether all the constituent elements are located in the same housing. Therefore, a plurality of devices accommodated in different housings and connected via a network and a device having a plurality of modules accommodated in a single housing are the systems.

Also, note that the effects described in this specification are just examples, not limited thereto, and additional effects may also be provided.

Meanwhile, the present technology may also have the following configurations.

(1) A communication device, comprising:

a detection target mechanism, which is detected by the first electronic device when the first electronic device is connected to a second electronic device that receives the baseband signal output from the first electronic device and is integrated with a mechanism included in the second electronic device Correspondingly, the detection target mechanism is adapted to be connected to the first electronic device;

a connection detection unit configured to detect a baseband signal output from the second electronic device and configured to detect a connection between the first electronic device and the second electronic device; and

a control unit configured to connect the detection target mechanism to the first electronic device when the connection between the first electronic device and the second electronic device is detected by the connection detection unit equipment.

(2) The communication device according to the above (1), wherein the control unit connects the detection target mechanism to the second An electronic device is disconnected.

(3) The communication device according to (1) or (2) above, wherein the detection target mechanism is formed of a common mode impedance.

(4) The communication device according to any one of (1) to (3) above, further comprising: a transmitting unit configured to transmit a baseband signal output from the first electronic device by applying frequency conversion A millimeter waveband signal obtained by converting it into a signal having a frequency band higher than the baseband signal.

(5) A control method for a communication device, the communication device comprising: a detection target mechanism, when a first electronic device is connected to a second electronic device that receives a baseband signal output from the first electronic device, the detection A target mechanism is detected by a first electronic device and corresponds to a mechanism included in a second electronic device, the detected target mechanism being configured to be connected to the first electronic device, the method comprising:

detecting a baseband signal output from the second electronic device, and detecting a connection between the first electronic device and the second electronic device; and

In a case where a connection between the first electronic device and the second electronic device is detected, the detection target mechanism is connected to the first electronic device.

List of reference signs

10 USB host

11 usb connector

20 USB devices

21 usb connector

22 Detect the target organization

30 USB cables

31, 32 USB connector

50 mm wave cable

51 usb connector

52mm wave connector

53 communication unit

60 mm wave cable

61 usb connector

62mm wave connector

63 communication unit

71 sending unit

72 receiving unit

81 sending unit

82 receiving unit

91 amplifiers

92 oscillators

93 mixer

94, 101 amplifiers

102 Mixer

103 Amplifiers

104, 105 Capacitors

111 amplifier

112 oscillators

113 Mixer

114, 121 Amplifiers

122 Mixer

123 amplifiers

124, 125 Capacitors

200 mm wave cable

201 Communication Unit

202 Detection target organization

211 sending unit

250 mm wave cable

251 communication unit

261 sending unit

262 Detect target organization

271 control unit

281 connection detection unit

282 Connecting the control unit

291 Determining Units

301 signal detection unit

302 Connection control unit

310 USB host

311 USB interface

312mm wave connector

313 communication unit

320 USB device

321 USB interface

322 mm wave connector

323 mm wave connector

330 mmWave ready cable

331, 332 millimeter wave connectors

333, 334 communication unit

350 mm wave transmission cable

351, 352 millimeter wave connectors

Claims (5)

1. A communication device, comprising: detecting a target mechanism that is detected by the first electronic device when the first electronic device is connected to a second electronic device that receives a baseband signal output from the first electronic device, and is associated with the Corresponding to the mechanism in the second electronic device, the detection target mechanism is configured to be connected to the first electronic device; a connection detection unit configured to detect a baseband signal output from the second electronic device, and configured to detect a connection between the first electronic device and the second electronic device; and a control unit configured to connect the detection target mechanism to the first electronic device in a case where the connection between the first electronic device and the second electronic device is detected by the connection detection unit . 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein, in a case where the connection detection unit does not detect the baseband signal for a predetermined period of time, the control unit connects the detection target mechanism with the first electronic Device disconnected. 3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the detection target mechanism is formed by a common mode impedance. 4. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising: a sending unit configured to send a frequency conversion of the baseband signal output from the first electronic device to a frequency higher than that of the baseband signal The millimeter-wave band signal obtained from the signal of the frequency band. 5. A control method for a communication device, the communication device comprising: a target detection mechanism, when a first electronic device is connected to a second electronic device that receives a baseband signal output from the first electronic device, the A detection target mechanism is detected by the first electronic device and corresponds to a mechanism incorporated in the second electronic device, the detection target mechanism is configured to be connected to the first electronic device, the method comprising: detecting a baseband signal output from the second electronic device, and detecting a connection between the first electronic device and the second electronic device; and In a case where a connection between the first electronic device and the second electronic device is detected, the detection target mechanism is connected to the first electronic device.